Find in Library

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak occurred in Wuhan city, China, in December 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that belongs to the group of beta-coronaviruses (CoVs) and has created an unprecedented situation worldwide. Since the inception of this disease, the mystery about the origin still persists. Over 3200 types of CoVs can infect bats; therefore, finding out the susceptibility of CoVs to specific species of bats is always challenging. Similarities of pangolin-CoV with SARS-CoV-2 and bat CoV suggested pangolin as another intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2. Recombination mechanism is primarily crucial to understand the origin of CoVs as it creates genetic diversity, thus novel variants of viruses emerged. In this review, attention has been paid to understand the origin and structure of SARS-CoV-2. This will help prevent similar pandemics in the future as well as effective in discovering possible therapeutic targets and vaccines.